STAF137-1113: Introductory Veterinary Assisting Module 3

INSTRUCTOR(S): Heather Howell, RVT, LVT, MBAand Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS(Anes)
COURSE OPEN: November 25-December 27, 2013
REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS):Mondays, December 2, 9, and 16, 2013; 9:30pm-11:00pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a Practice Session prior to the first Real Time Session. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

*The instructors for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend one of the Practice Sessions.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic, introductory level course covers foundational small animal nursing and hospital assisting techniques, is primarily for the novice employee, and will include components of assisting with diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, elective surgeries, and emergencies. Supervisors and managers may find the course helpful in hiring and organizing training protocols for their hospitals.
VSPN CE Course: This course has RACE approval for veterinary technicians only.

Course Description:
You've mastered your basic assisting duties in client and patient care in general hospital procedures, the laboratory, and you are ready to improve your knowledge base regarding diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, elective surgery and emergencies! As an integral component of the veterinary healthcare team, veterinary assistants will gain a basic understanding of anesthesia and elective surgery essential for aiding veterinary technicians and veterinarians with the preparation, nursing care, monitoring, and recovery of surgical patients. This module will also discuss associated terminology and considerations for clients. A basic understanding of emergency care and triage will also be covered. This course rounds out the three module series, providing an overview of the veterinary hospital tasks required for a veterinary assistant.

This course consists of three (3) Real Time Sessions of ninety (90) minutes each, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

*The lecture portion of this course will be presented with text, audio will be used to answer questions. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• discuss the basics regarding diagnostic imaging options available including radiology, ultrasonography, and endoscopy.
• discuss the basic concepts of elective surgery, instrumentation, anesthesia monitoring and patient recovery.
• recognize the basics of emergency care.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course. A list of recommended resources for participants will be provided in the course library.

About the Instructors:
Heather Howell is a credentialed veterinary technician in CA and NV. She received her BS in Animal Science at UC Davis and her MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. Since 1988, she has worked in all capacities of the veterinary hospital including hospital administrator, practice management consultant, and instructor. Darci Palmer has worked exclusively in veterinary anesthesia medicine for 12 years and currently works in the Small Animal Anesthesia Department at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. She lectures at the national and local level and provides anesthesia consulting for private practices.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session December 2): Diagnostic Imaging-Radiology, Ultrasonography, and Endoscopy
Content: This session will cover diagnostic imaging options available including radiology, ultrasonography, and endoscopy. The basics and terminology related to each of these imaging options will be covered. The session will also cover restraint and handling issues relating to these procedures. Personal safety precautions will also be reiterated (from Module 1) for radiology.

Week 2 (Real Time Session December 9): Basic Concepts in Anesthesia
Content: This session will cover the basics of anesthesia including parts of the anesthetic machine. Monitoring the patient during induction, maintenance, and recovery will be discussed. The session will also cover the basics pharmacology of different types of anesthesia available. Stages and planes of anesthesia will also be discussed.

Week 3 (Real Time Session December 16): Basic Concepts in Anesthesia, Elective Surgery, and Emergency Care
Content: This session will continue to discuss the basic concepts of anesthesia and will move on to discuss the basics of surgery preparation, surgical suite etiquette, and gowning/gloving. Instrument identification, care, and disinfection/sterilization will also be discussed. We will also discuss the basic principles of triaging a potential emergency and setting up for emergency care. Basic monitoring the critical patient and gathering necessary emergency supplies will also be covered.

CE CREDITS: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird special if enrolled by November 11, 2013)
*Enroll in all three modules by 5pm ET on October 7, 2013 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course price.
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close at 5pm ET on Monday, December 2, 2013, or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

*Note: "This course is approved for 4.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education." Call VSPN/VIN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content & CE Director
&
Charlotte Waack, CVT, RVT
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Barb Burri (Barb@vspn.org); ext 764 (New Hampshire)
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193 (Illinois)
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 (Florida)
Lisa Kernaghan (Lisa@vspn.org); ext 159 (Arizona)
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187 (Colorado)

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